Puppy and food excitement

Question
I have a 12 wk old Weimaraner that acts like he has never eaten before at each feeding.  My wife and I feed him 3 times a day totaling approximately 3 cups of food.  We have to put a baby gate at the utility room door so that he does not force his way into the other dogs food while they are eating.  He hasn't shown any violent aggression with the food just uncontroled excitement and persistantly trying to get at the bowl even before it is placed on the floor.  I have tried to hold him back while I put the food down but he still goes after it as if he is possessed.

Thanks for your help,
Brad

Answer
Most Labs and Goldens are that way too.  I would start obedience training right away.  He is too young for classes, but you can work from a book for now.  

The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  This works well for young puppies too:

''Elevation for small puppies:  Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up.  He is facing you.  Hold him for 15 seconds.  Repeat until he no longer struggles.  If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.  

Cradling for small puppies:  Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby.  If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds.  With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down:  Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you.  Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position.  When he is quiet, praise him.  Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position.  When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work.  It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual.  I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective.  You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too.  Helps bonding.  There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly.  The latter cements your place as pack leader.

As top dog, once he learn what ''Sit'' means, you can insist he sits until you place the food dish on the floor and say free dog.  If he moves for it before you say ''Free dog'', it goes back up.  If it takes 15 minutes before he gets his dinner, it takes 15 minutes, at least at first.  A strong willed puppy calls for an even stronger willed owner.  I go through this every morning with 2 Labs.  

Don't let his food motivation lead to over feeding, see http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx  Overweight is one of the worst things for a growing puppy's joints.